top of page

SBRT of Lung and Liver Tumors

  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) — also known as SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy) — is an advanced, high-precision radiation technique that delivers very high doses of radiation to a tumor in a few focused sessions, with sub-millimetre accuracy.

    Unlike conventional radiation, which is given over several weeks, SBRT typically completes treatment in 1 to 5 sessions, targeting the tumor while sparing surrounding normal tissue.

    SBRT has emerged as a curative alternative to surgery for selected lung and liver tumors, particularly in patients who are not surgical candidates due to age, comorbidities, or tumor location.

    1. SBRT combines:

    2. High-precision imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT) to visualize the tumor in real time.

    3. Immobilization devices to minimize movement.

    4. Advanced planning systems that shape the radiation dose around the tumor.

    5. Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and 4D-CT respiratory motion management to account for breathing and organ movement.

    6. These enable clinicians to deliver a potent, curative dose of radiation safely and accurately.

  • 1. Early-Stage (Primary) Lung Cancer

    SBRT is now considered standard of care for medically inoperable patients with Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

    Benefits:

    • Local control rates >90% (comparable to surgery)

    • Non-invasive, outpatient procedure

    • No anesthesia or incisions required

    • Minimal recovery time

    Indications:

    • Small, well-defined peripheral lung tumors

    • Patients unfit for lobectomy due to poor pulmonary reserve or cardiac issues

    • Residual or recurrent disease after surgery

    Techniques Used:

    • 4D-CT simulation to capture breathing motion

    • Respiratory gating or tracking to synchronize beam delivery with tumor movement

    • IMRT / VMAT for highly conformal dose distribution

    • The liver is a radiosensitive organ that moves with respiration, making precision critical.
      SBRT, with its sub-millimetre targeting and motion management, allows safe and effective treatment of both primary liver cancers (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) and liver metastases.

    • Indications:

    • Inoperable or unresectable HCC

    • Liver metastases from colorectal, breast, or other primaries

    • Recurrence after surgery or ablation

    • Bridging therapy before liver transplantation

    • Benefits:

    • Non-invasive alternative to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or surgery

    • High local control rates (80–95%)

    • Preserves surrounding healthy liver tissue

    • Can be repeated if necessary

    • Techniques Used:

    • 4D-CT simulation and fiducial markers for tracking tumor motion

    • Abdominal compression or breath-hold gating to reduce movement

    • IGRT / Cone-beam CT for daily verification

    • Curative potential for small, localized lung or liver tumors

    • Organ preservation — no surgery, no blood loss

    • Short, outpatient treatment schedule

    • Minimal pain and recovery time

    • Excellent local control and survival rates

    • Option for re-irradiation or recurrence management

    • SBRT is generally well tolerated. Side effects, when present, are usually mild and transient:

    • Lung SBRT:

    • Fatigue

    • Mild cough or shortness of breath

    • Rare radiation pneumonitis

    • Liver SBRT:

    • Mild nausea or abdominal discomfort

    • Temporary elevation of liver enzymes

    • Rare radiation-induced liver disease (RILD)

    • Careful patient selection and advanced planning significantly minimize risks.

    • SBRT for lung and liver tumors represents a major advancement in modern radiation oncology — offering surgical precision without surgery.

    • It provides a curative, non-invasive alternative for early-stage or limited metastatic disease, combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional patient comfort.

    • Through the synergy of precision imaging, motion management, and targeted radiation delivery, SBRT continues to redefine cancer care — achieving cure, control, and quality of life for patients once considered untreatable by conventional methods.

bottom of page